If you have wondered about the situation with Harriet Selkirk while reading this story, I do recommend the prior Ridlington novel . This features Letitia Ridlington as the central heroine, and relates her interesting relationship with Sir James FitzArden.
You can also learn about the awfully shocking book Letitia has dared to write. It might surprise you as much as it does James.
Here’s a little peek into Letitia and Harriet’s first meeting…
Excerpt - WORD OF A LADY
Book 3, The Six Pearls of Baron Ridlington
© Sahara Kelly, 2017
She was well-spoken, and Letitia recognized quality clothing. There was something going on here, and perhaps she needed either a helping hand or a friend. Since Letitia had an hour or so before her visitor was due to arrive, she decided to offer some assistance and perhaps learn more about what had brought this young lady to a country inn.
“Do you have anyone with you? A maid, perhaps?” Letitia put her arm out and touched the woman’s shoulder lightly. She was surprised at the quick jump her move elicited.
“No, I’m afraid it’s just me.”
“Well then. I’m about to have some tea. Will you do me the honour of joining me? I have an appointment later this morning, and would love the company to help pass the time until then.”
“That’s very nice of you. I would love a cup of tea.” She stood a little straighter, as if relaxing under Letitia’s gentle interest.
“Good.” Mrs. Fisher came back into the foyer. “Would you pop another cup onto that tea tray, if you please?” Letitia called over.
“Very good, Miss Letitia.” The landlady nodded, her gaze on the newcomer. “It’ll be ready in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”
“Come on. Let’s make ourselves comfortable.” Leading the way, Letitia ushered the young woman into the little parlour. “There. It’s not very large, but it’s warm. Now let’s get the necessities out of the way.” She watched the woman unwrap her cloak and hang it beside Letitia’s on the hooks. The dress she wore was fine wool, as was the matching spencer jacket, although both were unremarkable in style and colour.
“I’m Letitia Ridlington, and I’m happy to make your acquaintance.” She bobbed a little curtsey.
“I’m…I’m Harriet Selkirk.” The words were almost whispered as she curtseyed as well.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Selkirk.”
“Thank you, Miss Ridlington. You’re very…wait…Ridlington?” Her eyes widened. “Like the village?”
Letitia sighed. “Yes, I’m afraid so. Come and sit down. You look weary and I’m ready for my tea. Why don’t we settle ourselves and have a nice talk?”
Right on cue, Mrs. Fisher tapped and entered, followed by a young maid bearing a tea tray.
“I took the liberty of adding a few jumbles, Miss Letitia. I knows how you love ‘em and they goes so well with a nice cuppa.”
“Oooh how delightful.” Letitia grinned at the older woman. “You spoil me.”
“Nonsense. Now you and yer friend set right in and if you need anything else, just gimme a shout, all right?” She smiled at both women and whisked herself out, closing the door behind her.
“Jumbles,” breathed Miss Selkirk. “I haven’t had those in—I can’t remember how long.” She licked her lips.
“Go head, please help yourself.” Letitia watched varying expressions chase across the other woman’s face. “I can recommend them. Mrs. Fisher has a way in the kitchen.”
“Thank you.” Politely, and with a slight hesitation, she put two of the biscuits and put them on a plate, while Letitia poured.
“Sugar?”
It was a uselessly polite interaction, but although Letitia was itching to ask questions, she knew this ritual would serve to calm her guest. Perhaps when it was finished, those questions might be answered more easily. Whoever Harriet was, she was very skittish. Something was wrong, and Letitia determined to find out what it was.
“Now.” She leaned back and put her tea on the table. “Will you tell me how you came to be here, Miss Selkirk? Ridlington Vale isn’t the kind of place that people just decided to visit while on holiday…in fact, it’s awfully quiet most of the time.”
Harriet nodded, and for the first time a quick smile curved her lips. “That is perfect. I am seeking quiet.”
“A place to hide, perhaps?” Letitia tossed out the question to see what the response would be.
Silence fell for a few moments, as Harriet sipped tea. A play for time, if ever Letitia had seen one. But she was patient, and waited.
“You are close to being right, Miss Ridlington. I am looking for a place where I might find some peace. And this seems the ideal spot. Out of the way of the…the…”
“Rest of the world?”
“Well, not exactly.” Harriet risked a glance at Letitia from beneath her eyelashes. “You do have an illustrious resident. If I recall correctly, there is a Baron Edmund Ridlington?”
“My brother.” Letitia nodded. “We live a mile or so up the road from here, Ridlington Chase. You can’t miss it. Some of it is falling down, so you have to be careful in case the Chase doesn’t miss you.”
Smiling at the little jest, Harriet nodded. “’Tis the way of many an older home, sadly. Repairs become so costly they’re postponed. And once postponed…”
“The damage is done,” agreed Letitia. “Was it so for you and your family?”
“Yes.” Harriet’s smile vanished. She sighed. “May I confide in you, Miss Ridlington? I don’t know you, but I sense that you are a person who would understand my request for privacy in this conversation.”
Letitia leaned forward a little. “Of course, Miss Selkirk. Whatever you choose to tell me will be kept in utmost confidence. Word of a lady. I would be honoured should you decide to share your thoughts.”
“Very well.” Harriet took a deep breath. “I am escaping an intolerable future, Miss Ridlington. I refused to marry an elderly, debauched gentleman who wished for a brood mare. Having done so, I was informed that I had no other choice but to become another man’s whore, instead.”
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About the Author
British born and bred, Sahara Kelly has enjoyed writing and reading Regency romances for many decades, beginning in her childhood with Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and Barbara Cartland.
Arriving in America with her almost-complete collection of Leslie Charteris’ Saint novels and a passion for Monty Python, Sahara’s new life eventually expanded to include a husband, offspring, citizenship, and a certain amount of acclimation to her new surroundings. She never quite managed to attain a level of comfort with the American way of spelling, however, and creating a Regency novel offers challenges in that regard. So you’ll see words that UK readers will recognize, but USA readers might perhaps find unusual. It’s a choice…should one write an English romance using English spelling? Sahara has come around to that belief. She can now enjoy the extra “u” which has always seemed so colourful…
After more than two decades of writing, Sahara is now enjoying the greater freedom offered to authors by the rapidly expanding self-publishing scene, and looking forward to many more such experiences. Being freed of restraints has opened doors—for Sahara and many other writers. There are now no impediments; no obstructions barring the path from writer to reader. Which is, in many ways, exactly as originally intended when that first storyteller sat on a rock outside her cave, tugged her bearskin around her shoulders and smiled at her kids across the open fire with the words “Once upon a time...” (or however it sounded several million years ago.)
To find out more about Sahara Kelly and her writing, please drop by her website and visit her at:
(Website – http://www.saharakelly.com)
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